Everything you need to know about the Catalan culture

Have you ever wondered who are the Catalans? Perhaps what deliberately cross your thoughts were the people that have the humongous urge to be independent from Spain, or conceivably their authentic white sausages served upon infamous Catalonian wines (stereotypes you say?!). It's quite essential to be aware of this particular direction if you want to visit and to know more in depth of Barcelona or other Catalonia territories.

I had several issues of understanding the differences between the Spanish and Catalan people when I arrived in Barcelona. I thought that I should share my knowledge and experiences about them to my fellow traveler readers. Quand je suis arrivé à Barcelone, ça a été un long parcours pour réussir à comprendre les différences culturelles entre les espagnols et les catalans. Je me suis dis que j'allais partager mes connaissances avec vous.

History of Catalonia / L'histoire de la Catalogne

I'll try to sum up what I know but I'm not a historian or anything. I'm sure you can get additional information online or at your nearest library.

"With a distinct history stretching back to the early middle ages, many Catalans think of themselves as a separate nation from the rest of Spain"(BBC,2015)

The County of Barcelona was the big player of the Mediterranean sea back then and on that very time,there was also the Kingdom of Aragon that clenched The County of Barcelona underneath their power. Unfortunately, since the marriage of King Ferdinand of Aragon and Queen Isabella of Castile, Catalonia had to bow down to their arch enemy which is Spain itself. Until the 19th century, Catalonia was on fire for the thirst of independance and separation from Spain. A spark of the separatism movement was unavoidable in that time. In addition, Catalonia also suppressed by the infamous dictator Francisco Franco during the Spanish civil war, 36 years of suppression that eradicates autonomous and special right to the Catalonia region. During this time, Catalan nationalism repressed in such a cruel way and even the usage of Catalonian language was restricted.

If Spanish people can dance the hell out from Flamenco, Catalonian people have their Sardana moves. In such particular reason, this is a traditional dance of Catalonia said to have links with Catalan nationalism (Mataromagrada.cat,2014)La sardane (Sardana en Catalan) est aux Catalans ce que le Flamenco est aux Espagnols. C'est une dance traditionnelle qui aurait des liens avec le nationalisme Catalan (Mataromagrada.cat,2014)

La sardana (Source: Mataromagrada.cat)

FoodLet's talk about food shall we? The utmost crucial topic for our belly and appetite especially during the period of traveling to Catalonian regions. Tapas and paella may hold the highlight of foodgasms in the whole Spain. However, you must try the authentic pan amb tomate, calcots, escudella, fideua and my favorite choice; the delicious botifarra.

First of all, there are no physical differences between Catalonian and Spanish people. Second, do not judge the Catalans by their groundbreaking protests these days to the Spanish government. I spoke to several Catalonian people and I found a diverse opinion about the movement of the independence. However, there are also some people who are quite sensitive to this issue, I observed considerable couchsurfers account in Barcelona and some of them really support this kind of independence movement.

Nonetheless, Catalonian people are open minded, friendly and fun, but a bit more structured (no don't worry they don't carry around agendas like the dutch people).

Branta is our weekly contributor. He loves to travel the world and the seven seas. He is the Asian version of the Flying Dutchman and was cursed to travel the world. You can talk about travels all day long with him on Instagram, Facebook or Google+